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NFU: coronavirus relief, climate are top priorities

The president of National Farmers Union says COVID-19 relief and climate are top priorities for the group this year.

Rob Larew says NFU members are hopeful because these goals are shared by the Biden administration.   

“We know and we appreciate the fact that the administration is looking to take aggressive step early to get on the other side of this and to continue to provide help to farmers who haven’t yet been able to be connected to assistance,” he says. “We need to get back to business as usual as soon as possible and that means getting the pandemic under control.”

He tells Brownfield NFU is encouraged by the new administration’s focus on climate because Ag Secretary nominee Tom Vilsack understands what farmers need.

“We’re encouraged that they want to do climate right by farmers because they recognize if it’s not going to work at the farm level, it’s not going to work for anybody,” he says.

Larew says bringing transparency to cattle markets and fighting consolidation in the ag industry are also top priorities.

“We have our plate full and this administration has its plate full, but farmers everywhere are looking for improved conditions and improved markets and we’re going to be doing everything we can and work with the administration to make that happen,” he says.

Audio: Rob Larew, National Farmers Union